Take politics out of school; 700th anniversary of ‘Comedy’; Deplorable roadwork leaves us all shook up | Letters

A colleague recently sent me an article justifying the need for a mayoral-appointed system that would better suit Jersey City public schools.

The Center for American Progress published an article written by Juliana Herman entitled the “Top 5 Things to Know About Mayoral Control of Schools.” Herman explains that by having a mayoral-appointed controlled system, schools would be able to see an increase in student achievement. The increase in student achievements is due to other factors that, according to Herman, justifies the move to have mayor’s control schools. Herman mentions that other cities are moving to this type of system, which saw achievement increases in major cities like New York and Los Angeles.

Strategically using resources was another factor in how students -- the article focuses on low-income minority families -- achieve because the focus was on the classrooms to help correct student/teacher ratios. The article sounds like a great idea, and it almost convinced me to look at this as a solution to an ongoing problem with Jersey City public schools.

But before I could accept this as a solution, I wanted to see if there were any problems with having the school controlled by the mayor.

Dr. Francis X. Shen, an associate professor of the University of Minnesota, wrote an article entitled “Community Support of Mayoral Control of Urban School Districts: A Critical Reexamination.” Published by SAGE under Education and Urban Society, Dr. Shen describes several factors that can cause problems with having a mayor-appointed controlled system. One of the major problems with having a mayor controlling schools is the distinction and conflict between elite/corporate interest vs. community/grassroots organizations.

These problems existed in cites like New York and although there were some improvements, communities and grassroots organizations saw little to no access to the operation procedures by the city government, leaving many to argue lack of transparency with this new policy.

According to Shen, “the referenda are the final legislative word on the governance,” which leaves a “vote never to vote again” enactment thus securing a shutdown of critical voices from future policy debates.

Shen warns that the referendums in itself “is not a satisfactory safeguard to ensure the participation of urban minorities and poor residents in urban education reform discussions.”

When communities participate in electing their school officials, “high minority communities can elect a community member who represents their local interests,” empowering communities with a voice than having a mayor make decisions on a “citywide” or “systemwide” interest.

Here is the bottom line: The goal is to “take politics out of schools” and allow school officials to lead appropriately, free from political pressure by any interest group. Establishing a community-based participatory system should be made possible to empower communities in fixing any issue that complicates the welfare of the most important people affected by political agendas, the children of Jersey City.

Ramon Aponte, Clinton, parent of Jersey City school student

Still inspired by ‘Divine Comedy’

About a decade ago, a portion of Summit Avenue – between Pavonia Avenue and Five Corners – was designated “Dante Alighieri Way.”

The Dante Alighieri Society is an integral part of Jersey City’s rich history. It has been active in Jersey City since 1909.

During its century of existence, the Dante Alighieri Society undertook its diverse activities to “promote the study of the Italian language and culture ... a purpose independent of political ideologies, national or ethnic origins or religious beliefs. ... The Society is the free association of people – not just Italians – but all people everywhere who are united by their love for the Italian language and culture.”

This new year, 2020, marks the 700th anniversary of the completion of Dante Alighieri’s world-renowned literary masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy.”

Having begun the poem in 1308, Dante completed “The Divine Comedy,” the pre-eminent work in Italian literature, in 1320, a year prior to his death in 1321.

“The Divine Comedy,” a narrative, epic poem depicting the medieval world-view of the afterlife, greatly helped to establish the Tuscan vernacular as the standardized Italian language.

The poem, written in the first person, is comprised of 14,232 lines, divided into “Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” and “Paradiso.” Yet, Dante’s epic poem is more than just an allegorical trip to the underworld; it is much more than simply an imaginary tour of the afterlife.

“The Divine Comedy” includes references to social, historical and political events, a spherical earth, astronomical concepts, and the scientific/experimental method.

As a matter of interesting fact, Galileo lectured on the “Inferno” and, perhaps, Dante’s epic may have been instrumental in some of Galileo’s ideas about the mechanics of the universe.

Unfortunately, no original manuscript of “The Divine Comedy” written by Dante has survived. The first printed edition of “The Divine Comedy” occurred on April 11, 1472, some 150 years after the death of the author. Of the 300 copies printed, 14 are known to have survived.

The first English translation of the poem occurred in the early 19th century.

Dante Alighieri traveled along a path that ultimately led to enhanced awareness, understanding and illumination. Perhaps Dante’s journey in the afterlife and “Dante Alighieri Way” will serve as a reminder that we should follow our own unique paths to achieve greater enlightenment.

Albert J. Cupo and John DiGenio, Jersey City

All shook up at Sip and Summit

No need to venture out to the American Dream complex in the Meadowlands when we have an amusement right in the heart of Journal Square.

Just drive to the intersection of Sip and Summit avenues -- just drive in either direction along Summit or turn off Summit onto Sip -- and experience a phenomenon akin to a short but thrilling roller-coaster jaunt.

Make sure your vehicle is equipped with decent tires and shocks, though, so you can get the full aftershock when you hit those bumps.

I believe it was just a month ago or so when one of the utilities was doing excavation work in the area and, upon completion, apparently left us motorists this added attraction.

Any unaware drivers should take proper precautions before engaging this unexpected bump in the road, lest they damage their vehicles ... or any pedestrians who may happen to be navigating this busy intersection.

Isn’t someone from the city traffic/engineering/DPW departments supposed to sign off on a roadway work project before the city pays the bill? I wonder who, if anyone, cleared this project in the sorry shape it was left.

Ronald Leir, Jersey City

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